Esterhuizen powers Titans to victory in Jukskei derby

Connor Esterhuizen scored an inspired unbeaten half-century to set the DP World Lions up for an 15-run win over the Momentum Multiply Titans in their YesPlay Pro20 Super 8 clash at the DP World Wanderers on Sunday afternoon.

Bjorn Fortuin, the Lions’ captain, won the toss and decided that the hosts' best chance lay in putting runs on the board. His batters reacted positively to the decision and raced to 206 for three in their allotted 20 overs. Their bowlers made great use of the surface and restricted the Titans to 191 for seven in 20 overs.

🟡🔵 | MATCH RESULT Another Jukskei Derby delivers, with thrilling cricket to keep everyone on their seats - Were you not entertained?!🤩 🦁DP World Lions win by 15 runs The team hits the road next for their final two matches of the Pro20 Cup Super 8s!🏏👍 #DPWorldLionsCricket #TheGoldStandard #YesPlayPro20Cup #ThePrideOfJozi — DP World Lions (@DPWorldLions) November 1, 2026

Esterhuizen made batting look easy with a strike rate of 200 on his way to an unbeaten 98 from 49 deliveries. This is his highest T20 score and also his eighth half-century in the format. The No 4 batter walked in to bat immediately after the powerplay. He replaced Neil Timmers, who had struggled to find the boundary and only managed to contribute 14 runs from 18 balls.

Esterhuizen patched things up with a 31-run third-wicket partnership with Rassie van der Dussen. The former Proteas star showed his class with a well-paced 23-ball 37. Van der Dussen’s dismissal opened the door for Mitchell van Buuren, who proved to be a great partner for Esterhuizen. The duo cobbled a match-winning unbroken 131-run fourth-wicket partnership. Van Buuren finished the match not out on 39 runs from 32 deliveries.

Rivaldo Moonsamy commandeered the chase for the Titans. The opener was the mainstay for the visitors with a 41-ball 61 that gave the visitors hope. He got them underway with a 61-run opening stand with Lhuan-dre Pretorius (29). Their left- and right-hand combination made it difficult for the Lions to settle into a threatening line and length.

PRETORIUS BREAKTHROUGH

Things took a turn after Siya Plaatjie provided a breakthrough with Pretorius’ wicket. Dewald Brevis, Dayyaan Galiem, Donovan Ferreira, and Lethabo Phahlamohlaka all failed to get going in the innings as the Lions tightened the screws in the middle overs. Ethan Bosch played some lusty shots in an attempt to lift the Titans to respectability and possibly deny the Lions a bonus-point win.

Bosch’s effort was successful. He lifted the visitors over the 164-run threshold. The all-rounder entertained the crowd with a nine-ball 25 and was undone by an excellent fielding effort from Cody Yusuf, who executed an outstanding run-out.

Siya Plaatjie was the Lions’ most successful bowler with two wickets for 34 runs from four overs. Legspinner Nqaba Peter also dislodged two batters but was a little more expensive. He conceded 48 runs in four overs. Yusuf and Bjorn Fortuin chimed in with a wicket each.

The victory lifts the Lions into first place on the table with 19 points from four wins and a single no result in five games. This puts them in a strong position for a top two finish as the tournament hurtles towards the final stages. Meanwhile, Titans remain in fourth place with 10 points from two wins and three losses in five outings. The men from Pretoria have all to do to qualify for the semifinals and final.